Sony Electronics' monitors are known for looking good and costing lots, or at least being among the higher-priced displays in any given class.

The new SDM-HS74P tinkers with the latter part of the formula, in that Sony's site currently lists the 17-inch flat panel for $600 with a $50 mail-in rebate. That's merely in the upper half instead of at the peak of 17-inch LCD pricing -- and the HS74P easily outshines the analog-only models in the lower half, since it offers up-to-date digital as well as analog input (and, unlike some rivals, comes with both DVI-D and VGA cables in the box).